Review: 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Ordered the car in October. Finally delivered December 26. The first night, half the dash panel did not light up. Took it to the dealer - it was a "fuse". Three days later, same half of the dash panel didn't light up again. It came back on the next day. Four days after that, the blind spot sensors stopped working and the warning light came on. Took it to the dealer - they had to order the sensor. It's on back order and is still not fixed. Got the car back. The next day, started the car and smoke filled the cabin as well as the smell of burning electrical wires. Took it to the dealer - the wires going to the visor light shorted and burned. The car is still at the dealer. Plus, got only 34.5 mpg. Talked to Ford. They refuse to buy it back or give me a different one. Bottom line: DON'T BUY.

9:14 pm January 26, 2013

anonymous wrote :

Looks great for a hybrid but the MPG is a disappointment.

@bcastro

Yikes! cars a lemon.

10:05 am January 27, 2013

ACDII wrote :

I own one of these 2013 Hybrids. While the car itself is great, getting 35 MPG in a 47 MPG rated car is appalling. Been in for service twice because something is WRONG. The second time in was due to a check engine light that was from fouled spark plugs, which confirms my poor MPG complaints, and Ford did nothing but replace the plugs and give it back. For 2 days, I saw 41 MPG, then it fell off again, and I get no more than 34MPG.

I also own a 2010 Fusion Hybrid, and it gets its EPA rating and is returning higher MPG than the new one does.
Very disappointed in Ford at this time, they built such a great new car, but when you have a problem with it, they shrug it off as if nothing is wrong.

12:33 pm January 27, 2013

B25Nut wrote :

Mr. Neil, your review nailed the essence of the FFH. As an owner since early November, I can’t think of one thing that would improve its ergonomics. My previous vehicle for over nine years, a Chrysler Pacifica, averaged 17.7 mpg. The lifetime average for my FFH is exactly double that, and would be even better if the majority of my miles weren’t driven at 70-75 mph. In warmer weather, I’ve had many driving segments of ten miles or less see the EPA 47 mpg or better. By taming my driving habits and staying below 70 mph, I’m confident I’ll be averaging 40-42 mpg during the upcoming spring and summer months. I don’t think the vast majority of American drivers would complain about that.
The electrical problems reported by bcastro appear to be very rare, since I have not seen any others reported on FFH forums. I’ll have to admit, however, that I didn’t get any of the driver assist options (except rear view camera and rear sensors) since I didn’t want to add complexity to an already high tech vehicle. All systems on mine have operated 100% of the time, but most drivers that got all the options are reporting the same thing.
One thing you didn’t mention was the FFH’s folding rear seats, which are unique in its class. They came in very handy yesterday with our quarterly trip to Costco

12:45 pm January 27, 2013

Webster01 wrote :

Mr. Neil, I work for Ford Motor Company on the engine and transmission mounts. The Ford team and supplier worked very hard to get the design of those parts where we wanted them to be. I appreciate you recognizing those parts specifically and their contribution to your overall experience with the vehicle. Thank you!

11:07 am February 1, 2013

I Hate Ford wrote :

The day EPa announced the penalty of Hyundai/Kia for inflating mpg, Ford came out (that Jim Farley who love using the F*** bomb) denouncing Hyundai publically by stating Ford's mpg is real. I immediately sent out emails to news media about Ford's dishonest, inflated mpg claim for C-Max and Fusion hybrid.
I pointed out the egregious attitude, lies committed by Ford and send the trial lawyer more documents when Ford was sued!
US based companies are always talking big, yet deliver much smaller, I never trust any US based company for anythuing worth >$20.

11:09 am February 1, 2013

I Hate ford wrote :

ford: Fraudulent Company Really Dishonest

11:16 am February 1, 2013

I Hate Ford wrote :

I used to work for Applied Materials, they asked us to build $200 million equipment in a way so that the customer would have to be forced to upgrade every 3 years, in a industry where 5% profit margin is the norm, they used IP, programmed absolescence, lawsuit to force people to dump old equipment, while their Japanese competitor built equipment that last 10 years with minor upgrades. Yes, the Japanese equipment is 30% more, but Samsung, LG, Panasonic, Toshiba, SONY refused even talking to AMAT, eventually AMAT exited the industry after spending $100 million tax payer's money!

10:37 pm February 16, 2013

BOBTECH wrote :

Im with you all about the MPG ratings but Im very happy with my 37-39 MPG normal usage being pretty aggresive of a driver. Just saying.

6:02 pm February 18, 2013

Ronald Kramer wrote :

I thought my 2013 C-MAX would be a Prius Killer? NOT!!! As a cross over buyer I feel deceived. I want to support US companies and US jobs. What was Ford thinking when they published 47/ 47/47 estimates? I would have been ok with low 40's but l28-33 is not even in the ballpark. I have been accused of not knowing how to drive hybrid. I lease both a 2010 Prius and 2010 Honda Insight and consider myself an experienced hyper-miler. My mileage in the Prius is 50 Plus, the Insight is 40 plus, The C-MAX is a great car, with extremely inflated EPA posted estimates.

Ford was at the Portland Auto Show and I had a chance to actually compare the C-Max to the equivalently priced Prius. No comparison--the C-Max is a great car compared to the cheap feeling Prius V. I don't know how EPA gets their numbers, but it appears low 40's/high 30's for Ford's hybrids are more realistic; maybe they're just more fun to drive...

The Lincoln MKZ is also based on the Mondeo platform and also offers a hybrid option, albeit at a slightly higher price. In addition to great styling, the MKZ also offers a better warranty and maintenance. However, it may not be competitive with more gas-wasting but fun to drive German sports sedans.

6:36 pm March 5, 2013

jason wrote :

Lol my 2 275000+ mile fords laugh at you - I hate Fords

4:26 pm March 26, 2013

Mike in California wrote :

My experience with our 2013 Fusion Hybrid has been great. We are getting on average 42 mpg. We Googled before we bought the Hybrid to see if you have to change driving patterns. I drive with a heavy foot and my wife with a reasonable foot. We were downsizing from the Kia Sedona to a hybrid sedan. Our dealer was very desirous that we experience the hybrid and have called ten or twelve times to see how our experience is. We have times when we drive ten miles through town and get 80 mpg and then have times when we hit the freeway at 75 and only get 40 mpg. But we are intellegent people and realize that stated mpg is under perfect conditions and we therefore expected 40. In fact we financially analyzed based on 40 mpg all around versus our Sedona's 15 all around. It saves us $275 in fuel each month. So we purchased to our expectations and have slightly exceeded it. "I Hate Ford's" has an axe to grind and so they need to find a lawyer not a blog site to spew their disdain.

4:33 pm March 26, 2013

Mike in California wrote :

Ronald Kramer: I have never experienced 28-33 in the Fusion Hybrid (larger than the C-Max so you would assume worse mileage). Our dealer did not have a Fusion on the lot so we test drove the C-Max (they let us use one for a week - about 375 mile). We got just over 42 mpg in that 375 miles (about 60% in town and 40% on the highway)..

11:45 pm March 31, 2013

Joe D. wrote :

Before my 5,000 oil change, my average MPG was 39.2. I drove it around 1,000 miles right after the service and I averaged 49 MPG at 60 MPH (on the cruise control whenever possible). Short trips can vary from 30s to a best ever 63 MPG (10 mile in traffic).

This is my first Ford ever and I would recommend it highly. I gave up waiting for a VW hybrid and Ford has my loyalty.

12:03 pm April 9, 2013

Larry j wrote :

I have been drooling over the new Fusion for many months. My target was the fuel economy of the Hybrid. And the trim of the Titanium. Especially liked the cool dual integrated tailpipes and tan leather seats of the with the more sumptuous stitching pattern of the Titanium. I fell in love with the Fusion Titanium Hybrid, my first American car in years. But alack and alas - the geniuses at Ford decided I couldn't have the tan leather or dual tailpipes (not even decorative ones) on my Hy-Ti. And even if I could, it wouldn't be ready til this Fall. And when it came, it would be pushing $40K. Shucks, my old Maxima was on its last leg and I needed a car. I'm now driving the new 2014 Mazda6, a stunningly gorgeous car—albeit with decent, though lesser mpg at 26/38—but with the trim I wanted, immediate availability, and affordable price. Sorry Ford, we were so close. I still think you're pretty, and get a little moist every time I Zoom-zoom by.

6:55 pm April 9, 2013

Jordan wrote :

Hi, I am one of the litigation assistants at Girard Gibbs LLP. We recently filed a lawsuit on behalf of New Mexico, New Hampshire and California owners and lessees alleging that the fuel economy of the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid and C-MAX Hybrid is approximately 10 MPG lower than the 47 MPG advertised by Ford. If you are interested in sharing your experience with us, feel free to email (ctc@girardgibbs.com) or call (866-981-4800).

9:30 pm May 30, 2013

MW wrote :

Combined average of 41.9 MPG after four weeks and 992 miles. Although less than 47, I 'm not disappointed, since it's gotten much better since the first few hundred miles. My last car gave 22 MPG.

5:09 am November 3, 2013

cv wrote :

Are you looking for a good website also see ours weblog.

Add a Comment

Error message

Name

We welcome thoughtful comments from readers. Please comply with our guidelines. Our blogs do not require the use of your real name.